Julio Jones’ return, defense save Falcons’ season

NEW ORLEANS — A tenacious play by backup defenders on Jimmy Graham’s catch at the goal line — and help from a disputed ruling — helped save Atlanta’s postseason hopes and sank the Saints’.

New Orleans might have been undone, anyway, by Julio Jones’ remarkable return from a hip injury. Still, the 30-14 Atlanta victory that eliminated the Saints from playoff contention Sunday might be most remembered for officials ruling Graham’s fourth-quarter catch a fumble, not a touchdown.

“Did I think it was a score? Yes,” New Orleans head coach Sean Payton said. “It looked pretty clear and yet — look — it is what it is, right? They go back to (NFL headquarters in) New York with that and it’s disappointing.”

Atlanta (6-9) next meets Carolina (6-8-1) for the NFC South title Sunday in the Georgia Dome. The Saints (6-9) are left with an anticlimactic visit to Tampa Bay.

Fans in the Superdome went into an immediate frenzy when the Saints’ Jalen Saunders returned the opening kickoff 99 yards to set up Mark Ingram’s 1-yard touchdown run. Those celebrations were short-lived as the Falcons scored the next 20 points.

Graham’s fumble came on the first play of the fourth quarter. The tight end leaped to grab Drew Brees’ pass and came down at the goal line, trying to force his way past reserve Dezmen Southward. Fellow safety Kemal Ishmael converged and ripped away the ball, then recovered it.

The initial ruling was a fumble and Atlanta recovery.

Graham’s forward progress appeared to have been stopped before the ball came loose, but that was not reviewable.

At least one replay angle showed that the ball might have broken the plane of the goal line, and the Superdome crowd roared when it was shown on videoboards. However, referee John Parry could not find evidence conclusive enough to overturn the call.

Brees said he thought Graham scored, calling the consequences of the ruling “huge.”

Though the play was a momentum changer, Atlanta might have won, anyway.

After not practicing or playing for two weeks, Jones caught seven passes for 107 yards.

“I felt OK. I know I needed to be out there with my teammates,” Jones said. “When the ball is in the air, I’ve got to get it. I don’t hear (anything). I don’t feel” anything.

Jones made his presence felt with one double-digit-yard reception after another, including third-down catches of 12 and 24 yards during the Falcons’ first touchdown drive.